Solomon: Run, Ricky, Run … there is more to life than football

When Ricky Williams left college he was college football’s all-time leading rusher. He leaves the NFL as the 26th player in history to rush for 10,000 yards.

Wasted talent? Hardly.

Ricky did it his way, and I admire him for that.

Watching him run so many times in person, brought joy to my life. His touchdown run against Texas A&M, on the play that broke Tony Dorsett’s NCAA record is one of the most memorable plays I have ever seen.

Football entertains me, and Ricky was darned entertaining.

But his job in life isn’t to make me happy, you happy or anyone else happy for that matter. He wasn’t put on this earth simply to make money carrying a 15-ounce pigskin trying to score touchdowns against crazed men out to break his legs.

He never thought that was the case. He just happened to be good at playing football. And unlike a general misconception, he wasn’t born a great football player. He worked extremely hard to become the great running back that he became. And Ricky was indeed a great running back. He put a lot on the line to do what so many in society said he was supposed to do.

Yes, I would have loved to have seen him plow through would-be tacklers for a 15-year NFL career and go out as one of the greatest backs the game has ever seen. But that is a selfish desire. I wanted to see that for my enjoyment, and on some level, my employment. To watch as a fan and to write about as a journalist.

I wouldn’t dare say someone has the obligation to ruin his body just for my entertainment. If they choose to do so, that is fine. If they choose not to, that is fine too.

I’ve had conversations with Ricky that were just as thrilling as some of the great runs I saw him make on the football field. So I will always be a huge fan.

Ricky took the pounding for many, many years, and made enough money to take care of his family and his children. But he always saw himself as so much more than that.

He saw a bigger purpose in life.

He didn’t hurt anyone. He didn’t take from anyone. He has improved the lives he has touched and made the world a better place.

If you are mad at Ricky Williams because he didn’t finish his career as a Hall of Famer and one of the four or five best to ever play the game, you are the one with the problem.

When I talk to him, I’ll thank him for sharing his talents with us for as long as he did. And I’ll tell him that I expect to thank you even more for all that he’ll do going forward.

What better way to pass T.D. than with a TD? Ricky Williams hits daylight on the way to a 60-yard first-quarter scoring run against Texas A&M that made him Division I-A's leading career rusher and relegated Tony Dorsett to No. 2. less

What better way to pass T.D. than with a TD? Ricky Williams hits daylight on the way to a 60-yard first-quarter scoring run against Texas A&M that made him Division I-A's leading career rusher and relegated ... more

Photo: Kerwin Plevka / Houston Chronicle

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Among Ricky Williams’ NCAA records were career rushing yards (6,279), all-purpose yards (7,206), rushing TDs (72), total TDs (75), scoring (452 points), games with a TD (33), games with two or more TDs (21), yards per rush (6.2/min. 780 carries) and 200-yard games (11). less

Among Ricky Williams’ NCAA records were career rushing yards (6,279), all-purpose yards (7,206), rushing TDs (72), total TDs (75), scoring (452 points), games with a TD (33), games with two or more TDs (21), ... more

Photo: ERIC GAY / AP

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Texas running back Ricky Williams, right, talks with college football and Dallas Cowboys legend Tony Dorsett, left, after Williams ran for 259 yard against Texas A&M on Nov. 27, 1998. In the process, he broke Dorsett's 22-year-old, all-time NCAA rushing record. And Texas won the game, 26-24. less

Texas running back Ricky Williams, right, talks with college football and Dallas Cowboys legend Tony Dorsett, left, after Williams ran for 259 yard against Texas A&M on Nov. 27, 1998. In the process, he broke ... more

Photo: ERIC GAY / AP

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The University of Texas pays tribute to Heisman
winner Ricky Williams by lighting the campus tower and displaying his jersey number 34 on Dec. 12, 1998.

The University of Texas pays tribute to Heisman
winner Ricky Williams by lighting the campus tower and displaying his jersey number 34 on Dec. 12, 1998.

Photo: REBECCA MCENTEE / AP

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Ricky Williams hurdles teammate Roger Roesler on his way to one of six touchdown runs against New Mexico State on Sept. 6, 1998.

Ricky Williams hurdles teammate Roger Roesler on his way to one of six touchdown runs against New Mexico State on Sept. 6, 1998.

Photo: D. Fahleson

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University of Texas running back Ricky Williams scores against Oklahoma on Oct. 11, 1998, in a 34-3 Longhorns victory.

University of Texas running back Ricky Williams scores against Oklahoma on Oct. 11, 1998, in a 34-3 Longhorns victory.

Photo: Kevin Fujii / Houston Chronicle

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Texas running back Ricky Williams playfully grabs the Walter Camp Award trophy away from his mother, Sandy Williams, during a news conference in the Centennial Room of Bellmont Hall on the Texas campus Monday, Nov. 30, 1998. less

Texas running back Ricky Williams playfully grabs the Walter Camp Award trophy away from his mother, Sandy Williams, during a news conference in the Centennial Room of Bellmont Hall on the Texas campus Monday, ... more

Photo: RALPH BARRERA / AP

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Ricky Williams also found the time to play a little baseball, here batting for the Batavia Muckdogs against the Jamestown Jammers on June 19, 1998, at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia, N.Y. Williams played four seasons of minor-league baseball, from 1995-1998. He batted .283 in 1998 with Batavia, his final season. less

Ricky Williams also found the time to play a little baseball, here batting for the Batavia Muckdogs against the Jamestown Jammers on June 19, 1998, at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia, N.Y. Williams played four ... more

The New York City skyline is visible through the rear-window of his limousine as Texas running back Ricky Williams rides to a Manhattan engagement Friday, Dec. 11, 1998. Williams was in town to receive the Heisman Trophy. less

The New York City skyline is visible through the rear-window of his limousine as Texas running back Ricky Williams rides to a Manhattan engagement Friday, Dec. 11, 1998. Williams was in town to receive the ... more

Photo: JIM SIGMON / AP

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Texas running back Ricky Williams wears the number 37 on his helmet as well as his assigned number 34 in Austin on Saturday, Nov. 7, 1998. Williams is wearing number 37 in honor of Doak Walker, a Heisman Trophy winner who died that year. Williams became the first-ever two-time Doak Walker Award winner. less

Texas running back Ricky Williams wears the number 37 on his helmet as well as his assigned number 34 in Austin on Saturday, Nov. 7, 1998. Williams is wearing number 37 in honor of Doak Walker, a Heisman ... more

Photo: RON HEFLIN / AP

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Texas tailback Ricky Williams poses with the Heisman Trophy on Dec. 12, 1998, at the Downtown Athletic Club, in New York. Williams ran for 2,124 yards and broke Tony Dorsett's 22-year-old career rushing record as he led the Longhorns to an 8-3 record and a trip to the Cotton Bowl. less

Texas tailback Ricky Williams poses with the Heisman Trophy on Dec. 12, 1998, at the Downtown Athletic Club, in New York. Williams ran for 2,124 yards and broke Tony Dorsett's 22-year-old career rushing record ... more

Photo: ADAM NADEL / AP

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Ricky Williams bids a fond farewell to Texas fans after closing his career with a 203-yard performance in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1, 1999.

Ricky Williams bids a fond farewell to Texas fans after closing his career with a 203-yard performance in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1, 1999.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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ESPN The Magazine featured the unlikely union of New Orleans Saints head coach Mike Ditka and the kid with the dreads and studs, rookie running back Ricky Williams, in its Aug. 9, 1999, issue. The cover, a formal wedding portrait, includes a tuxedo-wearing Ditka and Williams in a white wedding dress with matching veil and bouquet. less

ESPN The Magazine featured the unlikely union of New Orleans Saints head coach Mike Ditka and the kid with the dreads and studs, rookie running back Ricky Williams, in its Aug. 9, 1999, issue. The cover, a ... more

Photo: BW

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Ricky Williams and coach Mike Ditka meet the media at the New Orleans Saints camp Sunday, April 18, 1999, in Kenner, La. Ditka donned shoulder-length dreadlocks to welcome Williams, whom he traded his entire draft away for, to the Saints. "Seeing this kind of a reaction really humbles me. All these people think that I'm the best player on the team, and I'm probably not even in the top 10," Williams said that day. less

Ricky Williams and coach Mike Ditka meet the media at the New Orleans Saints camp Sunday, April 18, 1999, in Kenner, La. Ditka donned shoulder-length dreadlocks to welcome Williams, whom he traded his entire ... more

Photo: JUDI BOTTONI / AP

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New Orleans Saints coach Mike Ditka, left, and team owner Tom Benson discuss the acquisition of Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams. The Saints traded first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh round picks this year and a first- and third-rounder in 2000 to the Redskins to get Williams. less

Ricky Williams stretches with the New Orleans Saints during the first minicamp of the season Friday, April 23, 1999, in Kenner, La. Williams was the team's only pick in the draft.

Ricky Williams stretches with the New Orleans Saints during the first minicamp of the season Friday, April 23, 1999, in Kenner, La. Williams was the team's only pick in the draft.

Photo: JUDI BOTTONI / AP

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In this first season in the NFL, Ricky Williams had the weight of overwhelming expectations on his shoulders. He suffered an ankle injury on Sept. 12, 1999, and managed just 884 yards and two touchdowns, while averaging just 3.5 yards per carry that season. less

In this first season in the NFL, Ricky Williams had the weight of overwhelming expectations on his shoulders. He suffered an ankle injury on Sept. 12, 1999, and managed just 884 yards and two touchdowns, while ... more

Photo: ANDREW COHOON / AP

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Ricky Williams' career in New Orleans was marked mainly by high expectations, injuries and not enough production to warrant all that the Saints had gambled on him.

Ricky Williams' career in New Orleans was marked mainly by high expectations, injuries and not enough production to warrant all that the Saints had gambled on him.

Photo: BRANT SANDERLIN / AP

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Ricky Williams (34) runs past the Carolina Panthers' Michael Rucker for a one-yard touchdown as time expires to give the Saints a 27-25 win on Oct. 14, 2001, at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. Williams had 1,245 yards rushing that year and scored six times on the ground. less

Ricky Williams (34) runs past the Carolina Panthers' Michael Rucker for a one-yard touchdown as time expires to give the Saints a 27-25 win on Oct. 14, 2001, at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. Williams had ... more

Photo: RICK HAVNER / AP

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Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams runs around Chicago Bears corner back Jerry Azumah during a Dec. 9, 2002, game in Miami. This was Williams' finest season as a pro: he led the NFL in rushing with 1,853 yards and scored 16 touchdowns. He also averaged a league-best 115.8 yards per game. less

Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams runs around Chicago Bears corner back Jerry Azumah during a Dec. 9, 2002, game in Miami. This was Williams' finest season as a pro: he led the NFL in rushing with ... more

Photo: GARY I. ROTHSTEIN / AP

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Texas running back Ricky Williams poses with a New Orleans Saints jersey after the Saints made Williams their first pick in the NFL draft and the fifth pick in the draft overall on Saturday, April 17, 1999, in New York. less

Texas running back Ricky Williams poses with a New Orleans Saints jersey after the Saints made Williams their first pick in the NFL draft and the fifth pick in the draft overall on Saturday, April 17, 1999, in ... more

Miami's Ricky Williams scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter despite having one of his shoes torn off on the run. The Texans still won the game, played in September 2003.

Miami's Ricky Williams scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter despite having one of his shoes torn off on the run. The Texans still won the game, played in September 2003.

Photo: Karl Stolleis / Houston Chronicle

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Ricky Williams fends off New York Jets defender Ray Mickens on a 69-yard run on Dec. 28, 2003, in Miami. Williams finished with 1,372 yards and nine touchdowns that season.

Ricky Williams fends off New York Jets defender Ray Mickens on a 69-yard run on Dec. 28, 2003, in Miami. Williams finished with 1,372 yards and nine touchdowns that season.

Photo: ALAN DIAZ / AP

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Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams shows off his newly-shaven head in Miami, Fla., March 5, 2004.

Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams shows off his newly-shaven head in Miami, Fla., March 5, 2004.

Photo: MICHAEL FRANCIS MCELROY / AP

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The coaches are seen just after the toss at Delmar Stadium in Houston on Jan. 31, 2004, where Snoop Dog's JR All Stars played Ricky Williams' Pride of Texas team.

The coaches are seen just after the toss at Delmar Stadium in Houston on Jan. 31, 2004, where Snoop Dog's JR All Stars played Ricky Williams' Pride of Texas team.

Photo: Andrew Innerarity / Houston Chronicle

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Ricky Williams walks on the campus of the California College of Ayurveda in Grass Valley, Calif., on Nov. 18, 2004, after his first retirement from football. He applied for reinstatement in July 2005, a year after he decided to hang it up. less

Ricky Williams walks on the campus of the California College of Ayurveda in Grass Valley, Calif., on Nov. 18, 2004, after his first retirement from football. He applied for reinstatement in July 2005, a year ... more

Photo: MICHAEL MACOR / AP

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In this photo released by CBS' "60 Minutes," on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2004, former Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams, right, talks with Mike Wallace in Grass Valley, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 13, 2004, in his first television interview since retiring from the NFL. Williams, 27, decided to study holistic medicine at the California College of Ayurveda in Grass Valley. He subsequently unretired, and played six more seasons in the NFL. less

In this photo released by CBS' "60 Minutes," on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2004, former Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams, right, talks with Mike Wallace in Grass Valley, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 13, 2004, in ... more

Photo: AP

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In 2005, Ricky Williams' first season back after a hiatus from the NFL in 2004, he managed 743 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games.

In 2005, Ricky Williams' first season back after a hiatus from the NFL in 2004, he managed 743 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games.

Photo: SCOTT AUDETTE / AP

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Ricky Williams (27) turns upfield as a running back for the Toronto Argonauts on June 17, 2006, as he is pursued by Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive tackle Adriano Belli during a CFL game in Toronto.

Ricky Williams (27) turns upfield as a running back for the Toronto Argonauts on June 17, 2006, as he is pursued by Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive tackle Adriano Belli during a CFL game in Toronto.

Photo: Frank Gunn / AP

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Toronto Argonaut co-owners Howard Sokolowski, left, and David Cynamon flank Ricky Williams during a news conference on May 28, 2006, after the CFL team announced Williams has agreed to play for it in the upcoming 2006 season. Williams, the property of the Miami Dolphins of the NFL, was granted permission by the team to play in Canada following a violation of the NFL's substance abuse program. less

Toronto Argonaut co-owners Howard Sokolowski, left, and David Cynamon flank Ricky Williams during a news conference on May 28, 2006, after the CFL team announced Williams has agreed to play for it in the ... more

Photo: HANS DERYK / REUTERS

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Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams (34) tries to pick up a fumble during the second quarter as he is pursued by Houston Texans linebacker Morlon Greenwood (56) and Houston Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans as the Texans defeated Dolphins 29-28 at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008. less

Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams (34) tries to pick up a fumble during the second quarter as he is pursued by Houston Texans linebacker Morlon Greenwood (56) and Houston Texans linebacker DeMeco ... more

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Chronicle

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Houston Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans levels Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams at Land Shark Stadium on Dec. 27, 2009. The Texans beat the Dolphins 27-20. This would be Williams' fifth and final season (1,121) with at least 1,000 yards rushing. less

Houston Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans levels Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams at Land Shark Stadium on Dec. 27, 2009. The Texans beat the Dolphins 27-20. This would be Williams' fifth and final ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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Ricky Williams made it to the AFC Championship in this, his final season. He ran for 444 yards and two touchdowns in a reserve role. He announced his retirement Feb. 7, 2012, with a year left on his Ravens' contract. less

Ricky Williams made it to the AFC Championship in this, his final season. He ran for 444 yards and two touchdowns in a reserve role. He announced his retirement Feb. 7, 2012, with a year left on his Ravens' ... more